Criterion D: Discussion and Evaluation

At a glance

By the time you submit your essay, you should be able to say “yes” to both:

• I discuss my findings in a balanced and well supported way.

• I evaluate the effectiveness of my essay, including its strengths and limitations.

If you only describe your findings or only summarise your essay, you will not score well in Criterion D.

Strand 1: Discussion

Guiding question: Do you explain the significance of your findings in a considered and balanced way?

What examiners look for

Examiners expect a balanced discussion of the significance of your findings, supported by appropriate evidence.

A strong discussion:

• explains why your findings matter

• considers different factors or perspectives

• uses evidence effectively to support points

• shows thoughtful judgement rather than description

What weak performance looks like

• Only describing the findings

• Ignoring evidence or failing to use it

• One sided or simplistic discussion

• No sense of significance

Ask yourself

• Have I explained why my findings matter?

• Have I considered more than one factor or perspective?

• Does my discussion feel balanced and evidence based?

Strand 2: Evaluation

Guiding question: Do you evaluate the effectiveness of your essay?

What examiners look for

Examiners expect an evaluation that identifies relevant strengths and limitations of the essay and explains them.

A strong evaluation:

• assesses the strengths of the argument, methods or structure

• identifies limitations honestly and accurately

• explains the impact of those limitations

• demonstrates intellectual maturity and self awareness

What weak performance looks like

• A superficial or partial evaluation

• Mentioning strengths or limitations without explanation

• Claiming the essay has “no limitations”

• Repeating the conclusion instead of evaluating

Ask yourself

• Have I clearly identified strengths of the essay?

• Have I explained limitations and what they mean for my findings?

• Does my evaluation go beyond summary?

Criterion D checklist

Discussion

• I give a balanced discussion of the significance of my findings.

• I support my discussion with appropriate evidence.

• I consider more than one factor or perspective.

• I explain why the findings matter, not just what they are.

Evaluation

• I evaluate the effectiveness of my essay.

• I identify relevant strengths.

• I identify relevant limitations.

• I explain the impact of these strengths and limitations on my findings.

• My evaluation shows thoughtful and honest academic judgement.